(11 August 1913 – 12 November 2000)
Pourcel was the international musician who's easy listening music performances and albums personified the 'Beautiful Instrumentals' genre. We are marking this centennial by programming selections from over two dozen of his albums in our collection. Pourcel emigrated to the United States in 1952, but returned to France the following year to record "Blue Tango" and the follow-up "Limelight". In 1954 Pourcel recorded his first album on the Pathé-Marconi record label, with whom he would record a total of nine albums in a three year period. In 1956 he recorded his version of "Only You", which sold over one million copies by 1959, and was awarded a gold disc. It peaked at #9 in the United States Billboard pop chart. You will hear these and several other of his international hit recordings on our Beautiful Instrumentals radio station this month.By 1958 Pourcel commenced recording classical music. His series of Pages Célèbres led him conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, The Society of Concerts for the Conservatoire, The BBC Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, and the Lamoureux Orchestra at the Salle Pleyel in Paris. In 1962 he co-composed with Paul Mauriat and Raymond Lefèvre the hit, "Chariot", which was recorded by Petula Clark and followed up by Peggy March as "I Will Follow Him". More recently the song became the main theme for the film, Sister Act.
Pourcel recorded until 1995 with EMI. He died on 12 November 2000 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, at the age of 87, from Parkinson's disease.
